Image: Jeff Crow.

Serco Yamaha’s Luke Clout will replace MX Nationals title-rival Jay Wilson in Team Australia at this weekend’s 2015 Motocross of Nations (MXoN) in Ernee, France, after getting an 11th-hour call-up from Motorcycling Australia (MA).

The pair went head-to-head for the Australian championship this year, with Wilson clinching the crown when it went down to the wire at Coolum last month, however he’s since been sidelined from the MXoN through injury this week.

Clout, 20, represented Australia last year as the reigning national MX2 champion, finishing an encouraging eighth overall in the individual MX2 classification, and it’s expected he will again ride with support from Kemea Yamaha for the second-consecutive year – the same team Wilson was poised to ride for in France.

“I’m pretty excited,” Clout told MotoOnline.com.au this morning, preparing to fly to Europe today. “Obviously I’ve been riding a lot of supercross, but coming off a solid season of 10 rounds in motocross, having a little break from outdoors could possibly benefit me.

“Representing Australia for the second time is pretty awesome for a kid that’s only 20 years old, so I’m really pumped to get the opportunity. I’m actually really bummed for Jay though, he really deserved the spot, but I have to go there now and do a good job for Australia, make everyone proud.”

Clout is yet to secure a seat overseas for 2016, still assessing options in the United States, however a strong performance in France alongside MXGP regulars Todd Waters and Dean Ferris could do his international career wonders come Sunday afternoon.

“Honestly, I’m not 100 percent sure yet,” he added. “I’ve been talking to a few people in America and there are some things over there, but nothing in concrete at all – it’s very hard to get to the US. I’m just hoping a good, strong showing here could open some doors, so I’m just taking it one step at a time now.”

Following the Ernee event, Clout will return home to Australia in a bid to clinch his first Australian Supercross Championship when the series starts at Bathurst, NSW, on 10 October.